On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Hancock County 4-H hosted their Halloween themed STEM Night, Carve & Cackle, at Swaney Memorial Library in New Cumberland, WV. The 4-Hers, along with County Adult Leader President, Nicole Hurst, Club Leaders Trenton Lockhart, Rachael Barton, and Jarred Spellman, 4-H Program Assistant, Zoey Mayhew, and WVU Extension Agent Zach White did a variety of STEM Science Experiments including: Borax Pumpkin Crystals, Puking Pumpkin Volcanos, Pumpkin Gut Slime, and Pumpkin Chunkin’ Catapults. The 4-Hers also made a healthy snack of pumpkin seeds with help from the club leaders.

The event also held a pumpkin decorating contest which had six entries from 4-Hers: Faith Barton, Ella Barton, Markus Carl, Lillith Lockhart, Charlene Hurst, Christian Hurst, and Helena Hurst. Each of the entries were awarded a $50.00 scholarship to any WV 4-H Camp in the 2023-24 4-H Year courtesy of the Hancock County Teen Leaders.

Extension Agent Zach White stated, “This is the first in a series of county-wide 4-H events to help grow our membership and support our 4-H clubs.” If you are interested in joining 4-H, please visit https://4h.zsuite.org/ to sign up or call the Extension Office for more information at (304) 564-3805.

Thank you to Swaney Memorial Library, The Newellies 4-H Club, the Hancock County 4-H Teen Leaders, and the Hancock County Commission for your generous support of this event.